Foldable loading ramp for all terrain/recreational vehicles and the like

Abstract

Foldable ramp for on and off loading all terrain/recreational vehicles from the rear of trucks, trailers, and vans. The ramp folds longitudinally to a width smaller than the wheelbase of the all terrain/recreational vehicles. When folded it may be slipped between the wheels of the all terrain/recreational vehicle for storage on the bed of the truck, trailer or van. When operational the ramp is engaged against the rear of the truck, trailer or van and allows the operator of the all terrain/recreational vehicle to either ride or push the vehicle onto or off of the truck, trailer, or van.

What is claimed as the invention is: 
     
       1. A foldable ramp for use with trucks and trailers comprising: a. left and right generally rectangular ramp panel sections, each providing respectively cooperating, mating edge portions which can join along a longitudinal axis, and transverse top and bottom edges;   b. left and right tailgate anchor means provided on each ramp section for removably engaging each ramp section top edge to a truck or trailer; and   c. a hinge assembly that defines the ramp center during use and connects the left and right ramp sections together at the mating edges so that they can fold upon each other to reduce the ramp width for storage;   d. cable means attached to each ramp section for forming a tension carrying removable connection extending between each ramp section and the truck or trailer to prevent accidental disconnection of either ramp section from the truck or trailer during use, said means carrying tensile load to prevent movement of the ramp away from the truck or trailer when a load moving into the truck or trailer engages the ramp.   
     
     
       2. The foldable loading ramp of claim 1 wherein the ramp sections in combination are adapted to load wheeled vehicles having at least one axle and two wheels spaced a defined wheelbase apart and attached to the axle and the overall ramp width upon assembly is greater than the ramp width while the folded ramp width is smaller than the wheelbase so that the folded ramp can be stored between the two vehicle wheels. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each ramp selection provides means on the ramp edge opposite the mating surfaces for connecting the flexible cable means to the ramp sections. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each ramp section has inner abutting mating edges and exterior edge surfaces to which the cable means affixes. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bracket means is at least one bracket member attached to the top edge of each ramp and forming an angle with the ramp corresponding to the angle formed by the ramp lower edge and abutting ground surface. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor means comprises a pair of spaced apart brackets attached to the top edge of each ramp section. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each ramp section comprises a pair of spaced apart longitudinal beams connected by a plurality of connecting beams extending between the longitudinal beams so that each ramp section is a self-supporting structural unit. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable means is one or more flexible chains which are connected during use between the ramp and the truck or trailer being used with the ramp. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one longitudinal beam of one ramp section contacts the longitudinal beam of the other ramp when the ramp sections are folded upon each other. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the anchor means comprises a support bracket extending from the end of each longitudinal beam.